A new report from Local Government East warns that inadequate wastewater infrastructure is becoming one of the most significant barriers to housing delivery across the East of England.
The report highlights growing concerns that wastewater treatment works and sewerage networks are reaching capacity across large parts of the region, preventing new homes from being delivered and creating uncertainty for communities, councils and developers.
The East of England is one of the least affordable regions in the country, with average house prices around nine times average earnings. While the Government has made increasing housing supply a national priority, the report argues that investment in wastewater infrastructure is failing to keep pace with growth ambitions.
While the latest announcements from Ofwat allows Anglian Water to spend an additional £129m in our area at no immediate cost to the consumer, it is important that residents of the East of England are not left shouldering the costs of underinvestment in the region, as they may do in the years to come.
The report identifies a number of challenges, including delays to housing delivery caused by wastewater capacity constraints, risks to Local Plan delivery, and increasing pressure on authorities trying to balance growth with environmental protection.
It highlights Greater Cambridge and Bishop’s Stortford as examples of areas where wastewater infrastructure is already constraining growth. In Cambridge, uncertainty over long-term investment risks delaying thousands of homes and jobs, while at Bishop’s Stortford the absence of a confirmed upgrade timetable creates uncertainty for development across Uttlesford, East Hertfordshire and Harlow.
The report calls on Government to:
- Accelerate investment in wastewater infrastructure across the East of England.
- Prioritise schemes that unlock housing and economic growth.
- Support greater collaboration between councils, regulators and water companies.
- Strengthen the capacity of water companies to engage effectively in the planning system.
- Ensure environmental improvements and housing growth are delivered together.
Cllr Deborah Saw, LGE Lead Member for Infrastructure, Growth and Planning and leader of Babergh District Council said:
“The East of England stands ready to help deliver the homes, jobs and economic growth the country needs. However, wastewater infrastructure is increasingly becoming the hidden blocker to development. If we are serious about tackling the housing crisis, we must ensure critical infrastructure keeps pace with growth. There can never be a choice between building homes and protecting the environment. We are pleased Ofwat, the water regulator has recognised the challenge and agreed to increased investment levels for Anglian Water but asking customers yet again to accept another increase in their bills after 2030 cannot be the only answer to the problem.”
Without urgent intervention, wastewater constraints could undermine housing delivery across the region. However, with targeted investment and stronger coordination the East of England can continue to play a leading role in delivering sustainable growth and national prosperity.
The report can be found here.